Window construction

ABSTRACT

A window construction wherein upper and lower sashes are slidably mounted in a frame, and a panel such as a screen member removably secured to the frame, securement of the panel being accomplished by means of a vertically slidable lock bar. In one embodiment the lock bar provides at its opposite edges a meeting rail-type weatherstrip abutting a lower bar portion of the upper sash and an upper bar portion of the lower sash, and rigidifies the frame.

United States Patent Inventors David R. Collins Maketield Township; Silvio F. Yannessa, Philadelphia, Pa. Appl. No. 740,949 Filed June 28, 1968 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Assignee Air Master Corporation Philadelphia, Pa.

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 160/101, 49/406, 292/218 Int. Cl E06b 3/32, E05d 15/ 1 8 Field of Search 160/90,

101, 40, 91; 49/406, 449, 451, 453, 454, 458, 463, 450, 404; 292/(SF), (SDF), 213, 218

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 373,636 11/1887 Bishop 160/101 686,981 11/1901 Long 160/101 1,730,757 10/1929 Casha et al. 160/101 2,599,196 6/1952 Peremi 49/406X 2,876,505 3/1959 Rylander 49/449X 3,168,172 2/1965 Alvarez 160/101X 3,360,030 12/1967 Baer 160/101 Primary ExaminerDavid J. Williamowski Assistant ExaminerPhillip C. Kannan Attorney-Seidel & Gonda ABSTRACT: A window construction wherein upper and I lower sashes are slidably mounted in a frame, and a panel such as a screen member removably secured to the frame, securement of the panel being accomplished [by means of a vertically slidable lock bar. In one embodiment the lock bar provides at its opposite edges a meeting rail-type Weatherstrip abutting a lower bar portion of the upper sash and an upper bar portion of the lower sash, and rigidities the frame.

PATENTEUHAR 2m 3566850 sum 1 [1F 3 INVE/Vl'O/PS DAV/D R. COLL INS .S/LV/O F. YANW'SS/i ATTORNEYS WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Thisinvention relates to a window construction, and more particularly, to a window construction wherein a panel such as a screen member is locked in a window frame by a bar slidable in the frame, the bar providing weather-stripped joints with.

frequently makeprovision for a screen to cover the window opening when a sash is open. Conventionally, the screen is located on the outside of the window opening, further removed from the interior of the building structure than the outermost. sash. Alternatively, the screen may be coplanar with one; of the sashes. Opening of such sash is thereby precluded. Weatherstripping between sashes isconventionally accomplished by abutting meeting rails. The meeting rails comprise the upper rail of the lower sash-and the lower rail of the upper sash. With the above-described conventional construction, removal of the screen can often be accomplished only from the exterior of the building. g

Another shortcoming of conventional constructions is th tendency of the frame to deform upon fastening of its side members to the fixed building structure. Thus, the side members may bow inwardly or outwardly, or the entire frame rack from its normally rectangular shape to a parallelogram configuration. Such deformation affects the working tolerances of the sashes in the frame often making operation difficult.

In the present invention, a frame having a pair of sliding sash members is provided, and a slidable bar member is provided between the sashes. The bar member, movable from within the building, serves toretain the screen. Also, the bar member provides a Weatherstrip between themeeting rails of the respective sashes. F urther,the bar member provides selectively operable interengaging locking means to maintain the sashes in their closed positions, when desired. The screen is retained in a plane intermediate the sashes. Accordingly, the screen does not interfere with the normal operation of either sash. The bar member also reinforces and rigidifies the frame, thereby minimizing deformation.

Thus, the present invention provides a window construction in which a screen is securely held in an operative position, yet is readily removable from the inside. Also, the present inven tion provides a movable bar member whichselectively retains a screen, serves as a lock for the sashes, effectively weather seals the meeting rails of the sashes, and rigidifies the frame.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel window construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide awindow construction in which a screen element is securely but removably mounted. i

It is another object of this invention toprovide a window. construction wherein mounting of a screen does not interfere with the normal operation of the sashes.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a window construction wherein a vertically slidable bar disposed between sashes serves as a lock for the sashes and provides a Weatherstrip between the meeting rails of the sashes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a window construction wherein a slidable bar member rigidifies the frame and tends to prevent deformation of the frame.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved by a window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, and having at least one sash member mounted therein for sliding in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the opening, a screen element adapted to be mounted in a frame, and a bar member mounted in the frame for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the opening and having a portion theref*adapted.to retain the screen element in the frame, the bar member including'portions adapted to contact an edge of the sash when the bar member is inits operative position.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a window construction in accordance with the present invention, taken from the inside of the building towhichthe window construction is attached;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, partially broken away, taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a portion. of the present window construction;

FIG. 5 is a partial horizontal sectional view showing the manner in which the screen of the present invention may be removed from, and normally retained in the frame; and

FIG. 6 is apartial cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3. Y

Referring nowto the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is seen in FIG. 1 a window construction. designated generally by the reference numeral be referred to for convenience as the upper sash is disposed:

outwardly of the sash 18. The sash 18 may be referred to as the lower sash. A lock bar 26 to be described in greater detail later, extendsacross the frame 12 in a plane parallel to the plane of the opening defined by the frame and at a position.

intermediate the positions of the sashes l6 and 18. 1 Referring now to FIG. 3, side members 28, 30 of the fram 12 preferably in the form of extruded members, provide parallel vertically oriented tracks defined by a seriesof generally parallel inwardly directed flanges. Referring to the. side member 30, a first inwardly directed flange 32 and a second inwardly directed flange 3 4 spaced therefrom define a vertically oriented channel for the lower sash 18: Weatherstrips 36 and 38 are provided on opposite faces of the sash 18 for en gagement with the flanges 32 and 34. A third inwardly directed flange 40 and a fourth inwardly directed flange 42.

spaced therefrom define ,a channel for the upper sash l6. Weatherstrips 44, 46 on the upper sash 16 engage the respective flanges 40, 42. A bearing strip 48 may be inserted in the channel defined by the first and second i inwardly directed flanges 32, 34. A similar bearing strip 50 may be provided in the channel defined by flanges 40, 42.

The second and third flanges 34, 40 define therebetween a channel in which an end of the lock bar 26 is adapted to slide, and wherein aside edge of the screen member 20 isretained. Although the foregoing description is directed primarily to the side member 30, it should be understood that the side member 28 is of generally similar construction. The lock bar 26, as will be apparent, is provided with slide bearings 52, 54 at its respective endsqThe slide bearing 52 is received in the channel between the second and, third flanges 34, 40 in the side member 30. The slide bearing 54 is received in the cor.- responding channel in the side member 28.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the functional and structural interrelationships between the sashes 16, 18, the lock bar 26, and the screen member20 are believed apparent. Thus, the upper or meeting rail 56 of the lower sash 181 includes an outwardly extending flange 58. The flange 58 includes a downturned edge portion 60. The lockbar 26 includes an upwardly 0P6": ing recess 62', defined at one of its edges by a flange 64 combar 26 and meeting rail 56 of the lower sash 18;

The lock bar 26 is also provided with a downwardly opening; recess 68, defined at one edge bya downwardly extending flange 70. The lower or meeting rail 72 of the upper sash 16 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 74, having an upturned edge portion 76. A Weatherstrip 78 may also be provided between the lock bar 26 and upper sash 16. Thus, when the upper-sash 16 is in its raised position, the edge portion 76 normally forms a labyrinth seal with the flange 70 of the lock bar 26.

The lock bar 26 provides a means for locking the sashes 16, 18 in their closed positions. As seen in FIG. 3, a pair of rotatable locking elements 80, 82 are pivotably secured to an upper surface of the lock bar 26. Locking. elements 80, 82 may be secured to the lock bar 26 by conventional means, for example, screws or bolts 84. Each of the locking elements 80, 82 includes a nose portion 86 and a tail portion 88, the tail portion 88 being shaped to facilitate manipulation of the locking elements. The lower rail 72 of upper sash 16 is provided with an inwardly directed locking flange 90 defining a recess 92 extending substantially the entire width of the lower rail 72. When the locking elements 80, 82 are in a locking position, their nose portions 86 extend into the recess 92. The locking flange 90 then precludes downward movement of the-upper sash 16. Tail portions 88 overlie an upper surface of the upper rail 56 of the lower sash 18, and preclude upward movement of the lower sash 18. Although two locking elements 80, 82 are shown, it should be understood that a single locking element could be used, if desired. Also, more than two locking elements could be used, if desired.

An important aspect of the present invention is the manner in which the lock bar 26 retains the screen member 20 in an operative position. As indicated above, opposite lateral edges of the screen member 20 are retained in the channels defined by the second and third inwardly directed flanges 34, 40.

Referring now to FIG. it is seen that the overall width of the screen member is such that when the screen member 20 is centered with respect to the side members 28 and it cannot be removed from the channels. As seen in the full line portion in FIG. 5, shims 94, 96 secured to the side members 28, 30, respectively, maintain the screen member centered with respect to the side members 28, 30. The shims 94, 96 are disposed in lower portions of their respective channels, adjacent the sill 24. When the screen member 20 rests on the sill 24 between the shims 94, 96, the second and third flanges 34, 40 prevent its removal from the frame 12. When lifted above the shims 94 and 96, the spacing of side members 28 and 30 is such that the screen member 20 may be shifted laterally so that one of its edges in in contact with one or the other of the side members 28, 30 and the other of the edges can be swung clear of the flanges 34, 36. Thereafter, the screen member 20 can be removed from the frame 12. The lock bar 26 is adapted to prevent lifting of the screen member 20, thereby precluding removal of the screen member 20 from the frame 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lock bar 26 is provided with block members 98 at its opposite ends. The block members 98 may be of plastic polymeric material such as nylon or the like. The previously mentioned slide bearings 52, which may also be of nylon, are secured to the block members 98 by adjusting screws 100, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the block members 98 are provided with integrally molded leaf spring elements 102. Also in a preferred form, the block members 98 include laterally extending flanges 104 adapted to contact distal edges of the second and third-inwardly extending flanges 34, 40 on the side members 28, 30, and an inwardly extending body portion adapted to be received in the channel between the flanges 34, 40. The leaf spring element 102 is directly coupled to the body portion 106. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the leaf spring element 102 has a normal curvature. As is best seen in FIG. 6, and also apparent from FIG. 3, the second and third inwardly directed flanges 34, 40 include juxtaposed axially extending shoulders 108. The shoulders 108 retain the leaf spring elements 102 in a slightly compressed condition. In such condition, the leaf spring elements 102 provide a frictional engagement between the lock bar 26 and side members 28, 30. Such frictional engagement permits movement of the lock bar 26 in a vertical direction by a minimum force sufficient to overcome friction. When it is desired to fix the lock bar 26 in position, the screws may be tightened to draw the slide bearings 52 into tight engagement with edges of the shoulders 108.

The manner in which the lock bar 26 of the present window construction retains the screen member 20 in operative position and also serves as a lock for upper andlower sashes 16, 18 should now be apparent. Thus, when it is desired to remove screen member 20 from the frame 12, the locking elements 80, 82 are rotated to a position wherein their nose portions and tail portions 88 are out of engagement with the sashes. The lower sash can then be raised and removed from the frame 12. Any conventional releasable sash-mounting means may be used for mounting the sashes'l6, 18 in the frame 12. After removal of the lower sash 18, the screws 100 may be loosened to release locking engagement of the slide bearings 52, 54 with the surfaces 110 of the shoulders 108. The lock bar 26 may then be lifted in its channel a distance sufficient to permit lifting of the screen member 20 clear of the shims 94. The screen member 20 can then be removed from the frame 12 in the manner heretofore described.

In order to provide added security for the screen member 20, the lock bar 26 may include spaced depending flanges 112 and 114, adapted to straddle an upper edge of the screen member 20. The flanges 112, 114 prevent outward bowing of the screen member 20. Flange 114 also provides a surface against which a Weatherstrip 116, part of a continuous Weatherstrip preferably provided around the inside periphery of the screen member 20, can abut.

The above-described shims 94, 96 may take the form of leaf spring members. Such members may be retained in a position between flanges 34, 40 by the shoulders 108. The shims 94, 96 may be referred to hereinafter as abutment means.

The manner in which the lock bar 26 serves to rigidify the frame 12 should be apparent. Referring to FIG. 3 in particular, the orientation of the lock bar 26 is such that bowing of the side members 28, 30 either inwardly toward each other or outwardly away from each other is precluded. Also, the tendency of the frame to rack from its normal rectangular form to a parallelogram configuration is greatly reduced. Sticking" of the sashes due to loss of working tolerances, which necessarily results from deterioration of the frame, is precluded.

In the above description, the panel retained by the lock bar 26 has been, for the purpose of illustration, a screen member. Such panel can take other forms as well. For example, the panel may be a deadlight.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as ind icating the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, at least one sash slidably mounted in said frame for sliding in a direction generally parallel to the plane of said opening, a panel mounted in said frame for closing a portion of said opening, and a lock bar member slidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction generally parallel to the plane of said opening between operative and inoperative positions, said lock bar member having a weatherstrip portion thereon for sealingly contacting said panel when said lock bar member is in its operative position and a further weather-strip portion for contacting an edge of said sash when said lock bar member is in its operative position, selectively releasable lock means at respective ends of said lock bar member for securing said lock bar member in fixed relation with respect to said frame when said lock bar is in its operative position, and further selectively releasable lock means on said lock bar member for selectively contacting said sash to maintain said sash in a closed position in said frame.

2. A window construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame includes oppositely disposed side members adapted to frictionally engage distal ends of said flanges, a

slide bearing coupled to said block member, said slide bearing having portions thereof adapted to frictionally engage said shoulders, selectively-adjustable means for forcing said slide bearing into frictional engagement with-said shoulders and said block member into frictional engagement with thedistal I ends of said flanges, and a leaf spring member coupled-to said block member and adapted to be received between said flanges and to be retained in said channel by said shoulders.

3. A window construction in accordance with claim '1, wherein said panel is a screen member. t t

4. A window construction in accordance with 'claim 1, wherein said first-mentioned selectively releasable lock means comprise a spring member coupled to said bar member and in engagement with said frame,'and a friction member adapted to-frictionally engage portions of said frame to secure said bar member in fixed relationwith respect to said frame. 7

5. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, said frame including oppositelydisposed side members'having spaced juxtaposed flanges defining channels therein, said channels extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window-opening, inner and outer sash members slidable in said channels between open and closed positions, a bar member 'slidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between respective operative and inoperative positions, said bar member being disposed between said sash members in its operative position, said bar member and sash members having weather-strip portions thereon, the weather-strip portions on said sash members i being interengaged with the weather-strip portions on said bar member when said bar member is in its operative position and j said sash members are in their respective closed positions, a

screen member disposed in said frame and selectively removable therefrom, said screen member having opposite lateral edges thereof adapted to be received in said channels, means in said channels for centering said screen member between said side members when said screen member is in an operative position, said screen member having a dimension between lateral edges thereof sufficiently small to permit removal of said screen member from said frame when said screen member is out of juxtaposed position with said means for centering said screen member, said bar member when it is in its operative position maintaining said screen member in juxtaposed position with said means for centering said screen member, and said bar member including means for retaining said screen member in said frame when said bar member is in itsoperative position.

ble therefrom, said screen member having 6. A windowconstructioncomprising a frame defining a window opening, said frame including'oppositely disposed side members having spaced juxtaposed flanges defining channels therein, said channels extending in a direction substantially parallelto the plane of the window opening, inner and outer sash members slidable in said channels between open and closed positions, .a bar member slidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between respective operative and inoperative positions, said bar member being disposed between said sash members in its operative positiomsaid bar member and said sash members having weather-strip portions thereon, the weather-strip portions on said sash members being interengaged with the weather-strip portions on said bar member when said bar member is in its operative position and said sash members are in their respective closed positions, a screen member disposed in said frame and selectively removaopposite lateral edges thereof adapted to be received m said c annels, abutment means at bottom portions of said channels for centering said screen member between said side members when said screen member is in an operative position, said screen member having a dimension between lateral edges sufficiently small to permit the removal of said screen member from said frame when screen member is shifted upward in said channels outof juxtaposition with said abutment means, said bar member when in its'operative position maintaining said screen member in juxtaposed position with said abutment means, and said bar member including meansfor retaining said screen member in said frame when said bar member is in its operative position.

7. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, inner and outer sash members slidable in said frame in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between open and closed positions, a bar memberslidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the: plane of the window opening between respective operative and inoperative positions, said bar member being disposed between said sash members in its operative position, said bar member and said sash members having weather-strip portions thereon, the

weather-strip portions on said sash members being intion to said frame, said selectively releasable lock means comprising a spring member coupled to said bar member and in engagement with said frame, and a friction member adapted to frictionally engage portions of said frame to secure said bar member in fixed relation with respect to said frame. 

1. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, at least one sash slidably mounted in said frame for sliding in a direction generally parallel to the plane of said opening, a panel mounted in said frame for closing a portion of said opening, and a lock bar member slidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction generally parallel to the plane of said opening between operative and inoperative positions, said lock bar member having a weather-strip portion thereon for sealingly contacting said panel when said lock bar member is in its operative position and a further weather-strip portion for contacting an edge of said sash when said lock bar member is in its operative position, selectively releasable lock means at respective ends of said lock bar member for securing said lock bar member in fixed relation with respect to said frame when said lock bar is in its operative position, and further selectively releasable lock means on said lock bar member for selectively contacting said sash to maintain said sash in a closed position in said frame.
 2. A window construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame includes oppositely disposed side members having spaced juxtaposed flanges defining channels therein, said channels extending in a direction generally parallel to the window opening, juxtaposed inwardly directed shoulders extending longitudinally of said flanges, said first-mentioned lock means comprising a block member coupled to said bar member at each end thereof, said block member including a body portion extending between said flanges and portions adapted to frictionally engage distal ends of said flanges, a slide bearing coupled to said block member, said slide bearing having portions thereof adapted to frictionally engage said shoulders, selectively adjustable means for forcing said slide bearing into frictional engagement with said shoulders and said block member into frictional engagement with the distal ends of said flanges, and a leaf spring member coupled to said block member and adapted to be received between said flanges and to be retained in said channel by said shoulders.
 3. A window construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said panel is a screen member.
 4. A window construction in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first-mentioned selectively releasable lock means comprise a spring member coupled to said bar member and in engagement with said frame, and a friction member adapted to frictionally engage portions of said frame to secure said bar member in fixed relation with respect to said frame.
 5. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, said frame including oppositely disposed side members having spaced juxtaposed flanges defining channels therein, said channels extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening, inner and outer sash members slidable in said channels between open and closed positions, a bar member slidably mouNted in said frame for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between respective operative and inoperative positions, said bar member being disposed between said sash members in its operative position, said bar member and sash members having weather-strip portions thereon, the weather-strip portions on said sash members being interengaged with the weather-strip portions on said bar member when said bar member is in its operative position and said sash members are in their respective closed positions, a screen member disposed in said frame and selectively removable therefrom, said screen member having opposite lateral edges thereof adapted to be received in said channels, means in said channels for centering said screen member between said side members when said screen member is in an operative position, said screen member having a dimension between lateral edges thereof sufficiently small to permit removal of said screen member from said frame when said screen member is out of juxtaposed position with said means for centering said screen member, said bar member when it is in its operative position maintaining said screen member in juxtaposed position with said means for centering said screen member, and said bar member including means for retaining said screen member in said frame when said bar member is in its operative position.
 6. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, said frame including oppositely disposed side members having spaced juxtaposed flanges defining channels therein, said channels extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening, inner and outer sash members slidable in said channels between open and closed positions, a bar member slidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between respective operative and inoperative positions, said bar member being disposed between said sash members in its operative position, said bar member and said sash members having weather-strip portions thereon, the weather-strip portions on said sash members being interengaged with the weather-strip portions on said bar member when said bar member is in its operative position and said sash members are in their respective closed positions, a screen member disposed in said frame and selectively removable therefrom, said screen member having opposite lateral edges thereof adapted to be received in said channels, abutment means at bottom portions of said channels for centering said screen member between said side members when said screen member is in an operative position, said screen member having a dimension between lateral edges sufficiently small to permit the removal of said screen member from said frame when screen member is shifted upward in said channels out of juxtaposition with said abutment means, said bar member when in its operative position maintaining said screen member in juxtaposed position with said abutment means, and said bar member including means for retaining said screen member in said frame when said bar member is in its operative position.
 7. A window construction comprising a frame defining a window opening, inner and outer sash members slidable in said frame in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between open and closed positions, a bar member slidably mounted in said frame for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the window opening between respective operative and inoperative positions, said bar member being disposed between said sash members in its operative position, said bar member and said sash members having weather-strip portions thereon, the weather-strip portions on said sash members being interengaged with the weather-strip portions on said bar members when said bar member is in its operative position and said sash members are in their respective closed positions, and a screen member disposed in said frame and selectively removable therefrom, said bar member including means for retaining said screen member in said frame when said bar member is in its operative position, and selectively releasable lock means on said bar member for securing said bar member in fixed relation to said frame, said selectively releasable lock means comprising a spring member coupled to said bar member and in engagement with said frame, and a friction member adapted to frictionally engage portions of said frame to secure said bar member in fixed relation with respect to said frame. 